Blind: Van Gaal deserved more respect
Daley Blind has expressed sympathy at Louis van Gaal’s sacking as Manchester United manager, saying that his fellow Dutchman’s achievements deserved “more respect”.
United confirmed that the 64-year-old had been relieved of his duties at Old Trafford on Monday night, just over 48 hours after guiding the Reds to a record-equalling 12th FA Cup at Wembley.
Former Chelsea manager José Mourinho is expected to take over from Van Gaal in the coming days, but speaking to BBC Sport, Blind gave credit to his former manager instead of speculating on his successor.
He said:
I always worked well with him and would have been keen that the co-operation lasted longer.
A manager who has achieved so much already deserved more respect.
Even though there was so much being written about him losing his job over the last months, he always looked to protect and shelter us.
It is not easy for a coach if you are repeatedly being fired in the newspapers.
Still, we as a squad kept believing in the manager and showed that with our FA Cup win.
That we did together for the supporters, the manager and for ourselves. It was in the end a good finish to the season.
Van Gaal brought Blind to Old Trafford in the summer of 2014 from Ajax and the 26-year-old has been considered to be one of the Dutchman’s best signings, surprising many with his performances at centre-back this season and forming a solid partnership with Chris Smalling in the heart of defence.